Calibration or verification? A balanced approach for science

The calibration of balances is routinely performed both in the laboratory and the field. This process is required to accurately determine the weight of an object or chemical. The frequency of calibration and verification of balances is mandated by their use and location. Tolerance limits for balances could not be located in any standard procedure manuals. A survey was conducted to address the issues of calibration and verification frequency and to discuss the significance of defining tolerance limits for balances. Finally, for the benefit of laboratories unfamiliar with such procedures, we provide a working model based on our laboratory, the Upper Mississippi Science Center (UMSC), in La Crosse, Wisconsin.